The wife of a devoted husband and father who idolised his son and newborn baby has spoken of her shock and grief of losing her ‘soul mate’ after he died in a motorbike crash last weekend.

Samuel West was on his way home for working as chef at Route 5 on Haldon Hill when he was involved in a collision with a car at around 9.50pm on Saturday evening in Alphin Brook Road, Marsh Barton.

The 31-year-old, who had a passion for motorbikes, tragically died at the scene. He leaves behind his wife Laura and their two sons, Roman, aged two, and Apollo aged three-months-old.

Laura, of Cowley in Exeter, said: “Sam had been riding motorbikes pretty much all of his adult life, but had only got his full licence just over a year ago. As well as bikes he loved Dungeons and Dragons, gardening and being a dad. He could turn his hand to anything.”

Samuel West with his newborn son (Image: Laura West)

Describing what sort of person he was, she continued: “He was amazing and just the most calm and caring person. He gave anybody a chance and was fiercely loyal. He had time for anyone until they crossed him. He was very stubborn.”

As well as being a chef, Sam also worked as a security guard and had recently started working at Fever & Boutique Nightclub in Exeter.

He has lived Exeter for the past five years, but had grown up in Exmouth and lived in the Newton Abbot area for a while.

Laura and Sam met nearly six years ago and wasted no time in getting married. After 13 months he proposed and then five months later they wed at Paignton Zoo as he had a love of animals and it was where he took Laura for her first birthday she celebrated with him.

They enjoyed a month long honeymoon travelling around Australia and soon afterwards started a family.

Their youngest son was born in January but spent the first five weeks of his life in intensive care after being diagnosed with heart problems and is still on oxygen.

Samuel and Laura West (Image: Laura West)

Laura, who had been looking forward to their fourth wedding anniversary in June, said: “I just knew instantly he was the one for me. He was my absolute soul mate and I will love him forever.

“I’m not coping at the moment, but I know Sam would want me to keep strong for the boys. The four of us had only been home together for about 10 weeks before this happened. He was just an incredible dad and I’m so heartbroken for our sons.”

Samuel West had a passion for motorbikes (Image: Laura West)

An investigation is being conducted by police into the cause of the collision.